Let the Earth breath : Saving the Earth .

 

LET US SAVE OUR EARTH TOGETHER!

What's happening in our Earth?

Thousands of studies conducted by researchers around the world have documented increases in temperature at Earth’s surface, as well as in the atmosphere and oceans. Many other aspects of global climate are changing as well. High temperature extremes and heavy precipitation events are increasing, glaciers and snow cover are shrinking, and sea ice is retreating. Seas are warming, rising, and becoming more acidic, and flooding is become more frequent along the U.S. coastline. Growing seasons are longer, and large wildfires occur more frequently. Many species are moving to new locations, and changes in the seasonal timing of important biological events are occurring in response to climate change.

The Problem 

Over 1,000 scientists from 25 different countries staged protests last week following the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s new report. The report warned that rapid and deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions are necessary by 2025 to avoid catastrophic climate effects.

The group, called the Scientist Rebellion, writes in a letter that “current actions and plans are grossly inadequate, and even these obligations are not being met.” Their protests “highlight the urgency and injustice of the climate and ecological crisis,” per a statement from the organization.

Seven Biggest Environmental Threats

The seven biggest environmental threats to the Earth are issues every person should understand. Once understood, you may choose to take action to see that these threats are eventually eliminated.

1. Climate Change

According to the Global Risks Report 2019 from the World Economic Forum, environmental concerns have been gaining on concerns over economic issues as the prominent risks people face. Increasing incidents of extreme weather events are blamed on climate change cited as a top concern.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural events like droughts, wildfires, heat waves, rainstorms, tropical cyclone, and hurricanes, explains the Scientific American. The Global Risks Report 2018 warned how extreme events could disrupt food production and cause famines.

2. Species Extinction and Biodiversity Loss

Global Risks Report 2018 further states that biodiversity loss due to species extinction is considered a risk not just for the environment but also the global economy. An alarming rate of species extinction is happening worldwide. The human induced rate of species loss is estimated to be around 1,000 to 10,000 times the normal rate, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Greater preservation tactics and strategies are advised with more laws put into place to protect species.

•Intensive agriculture, unsustainable fishing, wildlife poaching, habitat degradation and destruction, acid rain, and climate change are threatening thousands of species according to The Guardian and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

•Many causes are attributed to consumer demands as people branch out into areas that were once home to various species.

3. Air and Water Pollution

Air, water, and land pollution has been named as one of the prominent risks in the Global Risks Report 2018. Pollution has been the unwelcome byproduct of industrial development in the past century. While there are nine kinds of pollution, air and water pollution have the most alarming consequences.

•World Air Pollution

92% of the world population lives in areas with polluted air which causes 11.6% of global recorded deaths, points out World Health Organization. Air quality is particularly bad in cities, and this situation is going to get worse as more people move to cities.

•Water Pollution

The Global Risks Report 2018 points out that plastic pollution is so great that micro-plastics is found in 83% of tap-water in the world. Chemical pollution from agriculture and industries is another problem where plants and animals are killed or are affected by toxins.

4. Water Crisis

The WWF lists water scarcity as one of the major environmental threats. All the continents are affected by a water shortage. Though the earth's surface is covered 70% by water, only 2.5% is fresh water that people, plants and animals can use to survive points out the news organization Deutsche Welle (DW).

•Water Loss

Water shortage occurs due to physical lack of water. In most cases it is due to careless overuse. People extract water from groundwater-reservoirs and rivers, and demand is growing.

Expanding agriculture alone uses 70% of this resource.Water is also lost through lost through leakages to the tune of 50% in the U.S.

80% water loss is reported in developing and emerging countries.

5. Natural Resources Drain

A growing world population might seem like an obvious threat to the environment. This is, however, also connected to the bigger threat of consumption that is far more complex and directly linked to the unique system of supply and demand. Consumption can vary on depending on income level, age, and gender points out the Australian Academy.

6. Deforestation Impact

WWF considers deforestation a major environmental problem. The Global Risks Report 2018 notes that in 2016, 29.7 million hectares of forests were cut down.

Wildfire in Brazil's Amazon Rainforest

Reuters reports that the deforestation of Brazil's Amazon rainforest in August 2019 contributed to a 5% increase in the deforestation. In October 2019, the total year-to-date deforestation for that region was up a total of 83%.

7. Soil Degradation

WWF includes soil degradation as an environmental threat. The soil degradation causes are soil erosion, soil compaction and the application of agricultural chemicals.

Soil erosion can happen due to wind or water, when the protective cover of forests and other vegetation is removed and the topsoil is lost.

Soil compaction occurs in areas where the land is over-grazed.

Soil destruction is caused by heavy tillage characteristic of industrial agriculture, explains Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth

•Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three "R's" to conserve natural resources and landfill space.

•Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too.

•Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.

•Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean.

•Choose sustainable. Learn how to make smart seafood choices at www.fishwatch.gov.

•Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag.

•Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room!

•Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change.

•Don't send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office.

LET'S SAVE OUR PLANET , LET'S SAVE OUR FUTURE!